A North-East businessman has died, aged 67.

Doug Peacock spent his working life at Parkgate Press, Darlington, where he was managing director until he stepped down last year.

He took over the Borough Road business from his father, Walter, and oversaw many developments at the printing company during the past 50 years.

Now called Gate Press, the family connection continues with his daughter, Lucy, who runs the business with her fiancee, Kevin Smith, and Garry Rickinson.

Mr Peacock, of Abbey Springs, in the Nunnery Lane area of Darlington, had many connections in the print trade and was also associated with Darlington Round Table, which he supported for many years.

Mr Peacock had a love of music, dating back to when he was a chorister and altar boy at St Margaret's Church, in his home city of Durham.

A jazz fan, he was a member of Darlington Arts Centre's Garden Bar jazz committee, Bishop Auckland Jazz Society and a Friend of Appleby Jazz Festival.

His favourite musicians were Stan Getz and Peter King, who he met, and he was a regular at jazz festivals throughout the region.

His friend, Peter Bevan, a former director of the Arts Centre, said: "He seemed to know everybody in Darlington and everyone loved him. He was a social guy and very well-liked."

Mr Peacock, who died of heart failure on Tuesday, had been ill for some time.

He leaves a wife, Ann, and two daughters, Gemma and Lucy.

His funeral will be held at All Saint's Church, Ravensdale Road, Darlington, on Tuesday, at 10am